Evaluate: Is the police review commission needed? If so, make it work

Police Chief Fred Bordallo.

The Guam Police Review Commission was created in 1999 as an accountability measure, to give people a place to report allegations of misconduct on part of employees of the Guam Police Department, including the police chief.

The law has good intentions but, to date has been a failure. Lawmakers should revisit the commission, its purpose and how it should be set up.

Last Wednesday, Gov. Eddie Calvo's administration said the Guam Community Police Review Commission would investigate allegations of misconduct levied against Police Chief Fred Bordallo by Bernadette Meno. Meno, a former Port Authority of Guam marketing manager, alleged the chief leaked confidential reports about ongoing police investigations to the Port's attorneys.

The governor's office referred the complaint to the review commission and said it was confident in the commission's ability to investigate the case.

But the commission has neither the money nor operating procedures to properly investigate allegations against police officers, according to its members and a former police chief. It usually lacks a quorum to meet. It has no rules as to how to proceed with the investigation and it has no staff to do its job.

Essentially, the complaint against the police chief will remain in limbo until the commission is able to get its act together.

Independent, civilian-led police review commissions are common across the country and are important tools in keeping law enforcement accountable. In California, police review commissions are able to investigate complaints against officers, such as improper search and seizure, improper investigation, improper police procedures, excessive force, discrimination, harassment and discourtesy.

However, Frank Ishizaki, a former police chief and senator, said when the commission was being developed, the Legislature failed to take into account the role the Civil Service Commission has in disputes involving police officers.

Elected officials need to re-examine the police review commission and determine if its necessary. If it is, they must find ways to make it work.